Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca believes Joao Felix “will find his moment” in the Premier League after making just five appearances so far this season in England’s top flight.
The Portuguese forward returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer after securing a permanent move away from Atletico Madrid. He spent the last season on loan at Barcelona – registering ten goals in 44 appearances for the Catalan giants.
Felix’s 2024/25 campaign has so far been less fruitful, netting just once in the Premier League from five appearances, all of which have come off the bench.
Chelsea’s surplus attackers have made life difficult for Felix, leaving the former La Liga star to battle with the likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke for game time.
“I feel shame about Joao,” Maresca admitted to reporters ahead of Chelsea’s Conference League clash with Armenian side Noah. “I feel shame about Joao and I would like to give him more minutes in the Premier League but I have said many times, we need defensive balance and we cannot play with Joao, Cole [Palmer], Christo [Christopher Nkunku].
“I like to put all of them inside the pitch but then you also have to defend and you need the right balance between the two phases of attacking and defending. This is the only reason why. There is no doubt if Joao keeps working well, he is going to find his moment also in the Premier League.”
Maresca also gave an update on the intricacy of team selections for different competitions – with Chelsea believed to have an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ squad.
“The ones that are playing in the Premier League doesn’t mean they are not going to play in the Conference League and the ones that are playing in the Conference League doesn’t mean they are not going to play in the Premier League,” he continued.
“The season is long; we have so many games. I can understand from the outside you can see two teams but we are just one team, one squad with 24 or 25 players all fit fortunately and we are going to fight to use all of them.”
The Blues will host Noah at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening as they look to continue their dominance in the Conference League.
